Back to the topic of hakeem, i was wondering about this for a while. It seems to me that neither the rockets nor hakeem wanted to stay in houston. My reasons: 1. I, seriously, do think hakeem wanted to stay in houston (at first) when he decided not to retire (at the end of last season). The thing is (as FB wrote in the chronicle) the rockets sort of choked and didn't know how to react. They were under the impression he would be gone and they would be able to get some quality FA. A. They don't ask francis or cat to call hakeem (on the other hand francis kept calling cat when he was a FA). B. They never discussed his role or other FA possibilities or the direction the team will take . C. Most importantly, it was obvious when the rockets didn't show much concern after hakeem outburst during the season. In the past, they would have a meeting with the star player about the concerns. D. The rockets offered hakeem more money , but the other factors (his role and the number of years were always not given priority). Ofcourse, the politics had to be played. Rudy T had to call at midnight and it had to be reported to the press. Think about it, do u think hakeem would leave houston (the only place where he has been, his business, his family & friends, homes,anything else you can think of) for a difference of 1 mil/yr for 3 years. That does not make any sense. Let's look at hakeem's dilema : 1. I don't know if you guys remember back a few years ago (i don't remember the exact year ,myself), hakeem told a reporter that toronto would be a nice place to play. He liked the place and there was a large muslim community. 2. Hakeem called the rockets' bluff. When he was feeling the rockets weren't being sincere in the negotiations, he started playing politics ,also. Reports of him wanting to stay and that keeping the team together, this was spread around the houston media. Basically, hakeem wanted to leave, but didn't want to be the bad guy. The rockets didn't want him, but they wanted to say they did for the sake of the media and fans. When it came down to it, it wasn't about the "money" (as is with most athletes). It was that for hakeem money=respect and respect=role and role=minutes and minutes=a chance to prove that he's not finished. I'm dissappionted that the rockets didn't give hakeem the treatment that the jordans and even barkleys get. He never got that from the league, but didn't expect it from his own team. Hakeem will be playing in a similar role in toronto that he would have had in houston. The difference is toronto is now a contender in the east with him. It's a business, but i really think hakeem would have made us much better. I just don't see how a marc jackson or a ruff laruff are better than hakeem. I guess time will tell who won and who lost out in this battle of conspiracies. Being in dallas, I will definitely be going to see the rockets come and play , but i will happily applaud and cheer for hakeem when toronto comes.
